Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis, which quite literally means the formation of novel neurons, is a process which takes place in many parts of the mammalian brain. In a recent study by Dr. Jessica Brann and Dr. Stuart Firestein, it is shown that neurogenesis is a process which not only occurs during the prenatal period, but also has the potential to occur in aged mice. It is shown that in these aged mice, novel neurons are born and can successfully send their axons to the appropriate glomeruli in the olfactory bulb to express particular olfactory receptors. (The neurons themselves reside in the olfactory bulb.) This study is vital in that establishes the olfactory epithelium as an important model to be studied. If the olfactory epithelium in a mammal (mouse for example) has the capacity to regenerate new neurons during its entire lifetime, then we could have a similar case in different mammals (particularly humans). Indeed the National Institute of Health (supervised by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services) recently issued a news release about a new study conducted by Dr. Leonardo Belluscio where using cutting edge technology he was able to isolate the specific stem cells causing regeneration from the other cells available in the olfactory bulb. Dr. Belluscio predicts that these regenerated neurons in the OB may have a role in cooperating with changes in activity of the system. In my opinion, studies on neural stem cells in general, and in the olfactory epithelium, which could help us better understand the underlying factors of diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s are not only very important, but are also at their very beginning.

References:

Brann JH, Firestein SJ. A lifetime of neurogenesis in the olfactory system. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2014;8:182.(PubMed)

Scientists Sniff out Unexpected Role for Stem Cells in the Brain." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 02 May 2015.